In an effort to encourage travel to Israel and highlight Israel’s connections with Europe, the Israel Ministry of Tourism is partnering with both the French and German tourism boards on combined trip initiatives.

Last month Israel held seminars for travel agents with Atout France in Baltimore and Washington D.C. in order to underscore the concept of combining France and Israel into one trip. A similar online webinar has also been jointly undertaken by the Israel Government Tourist Office and the German National Tourist Office to educate travel agents about the option of a combined trip to Israel and Germany.

In addition to these promotional and educational endeavors, a wide range of airlines –– including El Al Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, EasyJet, Air Berlin, Sun d’Or International Airlines and Israir Airlines –– are decreasing prices on Europe-Israel flights, making Israel more accessible than ever.

We hope these activities and cooperation will inspire North American tour operators and travel agents to offer combined itineraries of Europe and Israel to their clients,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism for North and South America. “After all, Israel is just four to five hours away from all major European destinations.”